Police Scotland seeking public feedback on the use of worn video technology
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Members of the public are being asked for their views on the potential use of worn video cameras by armed police in Scotland.
Police Scotland says Body Worn Video (BWV) has been shown to have a positive impact on public and police officer safety.
All other armed police units in the UK are currently equipped with the cameras.
Bringing Police Scotland in line with these other forces would ensure best practice, enhance evidence gathering and increase transparency and accountability at incidents, the force says.
An online survey, which opened for three weeks on February 1, 2021, will allow members of the public to offer their opinions on the deployment of BWV in Scottish policing in the future.
The move follows Chief Constable Iain Livingstone’s support for its deployment to armed police officers as a “pressing, critical, ethical and operational imperative” and is part of his commitment to "focused and concise public engagement" prior to roll-out.
It is hoped armed police officers will be equipped with BWV at the earliest opportunity this year.
Assistant Chief Constable Kenny MacDonald, who is leading the introduction of BWV, said: “The Chief Constable has consistently expressed strong support for the greater deployment of body worn video by Police Scotland officers and staff.
“Armed policing remains an area of high risk and understandable public scrutiny and, as such, this roll-out will help improve transparency and accountability.
"The safety of our officers and staff, as well as that of the public, remains paramount in our decision to introduce this technology.
“While this is not new technology, and every other armed policing unit in the UK uses body worn cameras, it is a significant introduction for Scottish policing.
"As such, our public engagement survey is essential to ensuring people have a voice and it will help us gather and address any ethical and community related concerns where possible."
Martyn Evans, chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said: “The use of body worn video is widespread across UK policing and the benefits to effective policing such as improved officer safety, reducing and resolving complaints against officers and an increase in early guilty pleas, have been positively evaluated in the current limited use across Scotland.
“However, it is important that whenever new technology is adopted, that the implications are fully considered through an extensive stakeholder consultation process.
"We welcome the launch of a public survey and would encourage as many people as possible to register their views. The SPA looks forward to considering all responses as part of our oversight of the implementation of BWV.”
A link to the survey can be found here
